Snow!

After a couple snow-less winters, we finally got our share! It was fun to watch Will have fun playing and building in snow. (I loved it the first two days and then I wanted to be back on my tropical island of Guam.) At least I finally learned how to drive in snow and on ice... by myself... with two kids... and crazy drivers.

Anyways, here are some pictures of our winter wonderland.

 Castles and mountains.

 He LOVES to shovel!

 Will's snow angel.

 Trying to fly a kite with Gramma.

Exhausted from shoveling 3 people's berms. He saved the day!!

Forgotten

After posting the link with a much needed, long awaited update on my family it dawned on me that I forgot someone. The one person that makes everything possible- God. This past year I've fallen in love with Him and I'm NOT afraid to say it! So, as I lay trying to fall asleep it hit me like a ton of bricks that I can't remember ever mentioning God in my blog.

He is truly amazing and continues to show me every day in different ways. Having a relationship with Him has been the best thing to ever happen in my life. Don't get me wrong, my boys (and James) are definitely a very close 2nd, but without God none of them would be in my life. He chose me as their mother and hand picked James to be my husband. He gave them all to me. Of all the people in the world, He chose me. For that alone I will always be grateful and feel blessed!

Lately, I've been battling some negative emotions regarding a few subjects in my life. No one will ever understand EXACTLY how I feel or think... except God. He is my best friend. Sad thing is I don't always remember he's there. I never forget my family because they are always in my face/space needing something. Funny thing, God is in my face too... I just don't always see it.

God has been there for me every time and never let me down. Trusting Him is hard, but He has shown me He is the only one I can rely on and He'll never give me more than I can handle. He has provided for my family in every which way possible since James was discharged that it still shocks me every time I stop and think about it. He provided us a house, car, money, food, medical for the boys, and marriage. Without Him I have no idea if I'd even be alive. For God sent angels to protect me a month ago. Every sense of my being and spirit witnessed spiritual warfare that night. My only prayer that night was for protection of my baby- I didn't care if I got hurt as long as CJ was safe. He one up'd me! He put a shield over both of us!

Anyways... I'm done for now. I just couldn't sleep knowing that I didn't mention Him.

Its been awhile.

I can't believe the last time I wrote was back in July! A lot has happened- Will's 4th birthday, James started college at EWU, we moved into our own house, James is out of work, Thanksgivings, Christmas, New Years, getting our door kicked in, and our 5th wedding anniversary (I'm sure I'm forgetting something).  Let's see, I'll go person by person:

Will- Is talking up a storm! He went from being off the charts (not a good thing) to being in the 3rd percentile for his age (in less than 6 months). We are still working on potty training, but have come a long way... he still hasn't used the potty, but he will tell me when he has to go and will sit on the potty (quite an improvement from a week ago). He had a mystery MRSA-type of rash in September and got pumped with 3 kinds of antibiotics. Sadly, we found out the hard way he's allergic to sulfur. Which solidifies more my decision to not vaccinate AND his team of doctors agree and back me 100%. Also, he should hopefully start preschool this month! I'm pretty excited for him.

C.J.- Is doing wonderful! He is crawling and climbing everywhere. His vocab is growing weekly with his favorite words being "No", "Mom" and "Dada". He never ceases to amaze me with his sense of humor and ability to play with Will. Last August he had a horrible fever that took days to get under control (it was 103+). The doctor thought it was an ear infection and gave him penicillin. For two solid days he did nothing but scream or sleep. On day 2 1/2 I took him back and the doc confirmed what I thought it was- CJ is allergic to penicillin. That night he was silent and happy!
For Christmas he got his two front (bottom) teeth! Otherwise, he is doing great.

James- Completed his first quarter in style by making the Dean's list with a 3.52 GPA!! He has changed his major to being a Social Studies Teacher. :)

Then there's me... I'm doing good. Being a stay at home mom is wonderful, but having a special needs kid, a baby and a husband busy with school- which is awesome- is tough. I'm doing my best to get back into a good routine with Will (and CJ in the stroller) by walking to the library at least twice a week along with his speech therapy (twice a week). Hopefully, starting next week Will will be going to preschool! Honestly, I have no idea what I will do without Will 2 days a week...
Anyways, we are all doing amazing in our own ways!!